SIR – At noon today I phoned my local fire station in Shipley to ask advice on a faulty smoke detector in my house.

By mid-afternoon a team of three firefighters arrived and quickly and efficiently they went about their job.

Within a few minutes two new alarms (with ten-year batteries!) had been fitted as replacements, all the while I had been engaged by a most polite female firefighter who took me through a questionnaire.

Advice was given on a couple of points and I have been left with an information sheet. The performance of the team was exemplary.

Given that we are now moving into the period of the year when homes are most at risk, may I encourage those householders who have not had their property fire-safety checked to do so.

The service is free and it could save lives.

The contact phone number for this service is 0800 5874536.

Councillor John Cole (Liberal Democrat, Baildon), Oakroyd Terrace, Baildon